“Our once great western Christian civilization is dying. If this matters to followers of Jesus Christ, then we must set aside our denominational differences and work together to strengthen the things that remain and reclaim what has been lost. Evangelicals and Catholics must stand together to re-establish that former Christian culture and moral consensus. We have the numbers and the organization but the question is this: Do we have the will to win this present spiritual battle for Jesus Christ against secularism? Will we prayerfully and cooperatively work toward a new Christian spiritual revival ― or will we choose to hunker down in our churches and denominationalisms and watch everything sink into the spiritual and moral abyss of a New Dark Age?” - Mark Davis Pickup

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

BEAUTY IS LIKE SALVE FOR A LONGING HEART

John Keats
Although he died of tuberculosis at the age of 25 years, John Keats (1795-1821) is considered one of England's greatest poets. Not long before his death, he said, "...but I loved the principle of beauty in all things, ..."[1] And so he did. His poems are unequaled for their dignity and richness of imagery. 

 Beauty is like salve for a longing heart. Throughout my three decades of chronic and incurable illness, the beauty found in art, literature and music have been constant companions in the solitude of what often seemed like perpetual convalescence. My heart longs for my eternal future with Christ. He created and defines beauty.

 [Click on image below of https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhtO7qx9qRQ for "Consolation" composer Viktor Kosenko. Pianist: Maria Dolnycky. 2:25]

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[1] Taken from an 1820 letter from John Keats to Fanny Brawne, 

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